Arra wasn’t exactly a dead weight as Tony helped her into the passenger seat of her car, but she wasn’t light either. Not muscular, but solid. Heavier than she looked. He thought about making a “weight of the world” crack, but the smell of vodka combined with the distinctly lighter thermos decided him against it.

Besides, if anyone was holding the weight of the world, it was him.

Like she keeps saying . . . He fastened her seat belt, closed the door, and walked around to the driver’s side. . . . it’s not even her world.

If not those exact words, something like that.

As he pulled out of the parking lot, she unscrewed the thermos and took another drink. He thought about protesting, but figured the alcohol was more legal in her than in an unsealed container—just in case.

Traffic was light heading back into the city. He could feel her watching him, but he kept his eyes on the road. Still, the watching reminded him of something.

“Arra? You said you were there last night, watching in the soundstage, because you needed to know. What did you need to know?”

He started to think she’d fallen asleep by the time she answered. “I needed to know if you’d fight without me.”

“Oh.”

He fought the urge to speed up as another car pulled out to pass and then slowed to let it back into the lane. Easy enough to fight without you, he said silently. You’re not fighting! Then he frowned and remembered how she’d looked at the back door, and how she’d made it to the parking lot and, running on empty, had still vanquished the shadow.

Maybe there was more than one fight going on.

Thirteen

Thirteen

LAID OUT fully clothed on her bed under a fuzzy blanket stamped with a Hilton Hotel imprint, Arra muttered an incoherent protest and immediately went to sleep. Both cats made wide circles around Tony, then leaped up onto the bed and settled on either side of the wizard, matching glares and lashing tails making it quite clear they thought he had no business being there.

Which, he supposed, he didn’t.

On the other hand, he had a strong feeling he had to stay hidden. Remembering the feeling of being watched as he stood under the gate, he could only hope that the whole shadow-stained thing wasn’t equivalent to a big neon sign—In case of invasion break this guy. And there were still three shadows on the loose. Arra’s apartment felt safe.

His stomach growled.

Ears saddled, Zazu growled an answer.